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When I was in my early 20′s, Love Story was an enormous hit—-and Ali MacGraw immediately became an icon. I’ve always loved how she looked—-then and now. She stopped making movies but occasionally I see a picture of her—in her 60′s, she is still gorgeous. I especially love her style—simple, classic, usually with some knockout and unique jewelry.

A few years ago I saw a picture of her in a magazine, wearing a stack of silver bracelets—just when I happened to go to a street fair. One of the booths was selling all these bracelets with stones—and I could totally picture myself looking just like Ali MacGraw.

And the tag line of the movie was “Shopping Love means never having to say you’re sorry….”

If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a comment. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know.

Two months of cluttercasting. My longest New Year’s resolution ever. For anyone making resolutions in the future: if you want to succeed, publicly humiliating yourself is the way to go. Meanwhile, a few things to clarify:

You would assume that since I’m clearing out so much stuff, my house looks much better. Actually, it looks worse.

This is a sneak peek at my office; you can see our cat asleep on the far right. I’m not cluttercasting Peppy….although there are moments when I’ve considered it.

Some days bring buried treasure. Like today, when I found this.

Designer scarf. Early 80′s. Eat your heart out if you love vintage. I’m not cluttercasting it. And here’s why. This is the last time I remember wearing this scarf.

A few brief hours later (“brief” meaning 21 hours of excruciating torture) my first child was born in Cedars Sinai Hospital. A few brief years after that….

I chose this picture not only because it happens to be within reach–but because this shows my daughter wearing shoes.

Today I found those shoes. Not just the shoes in the picture–but an entire box of shoes– from the same era. I lined up a few samples.

Don’t even ask why anyone would save such a thing. If I thought Alli might want them someday, I might even save them for another 20 years. But she’s a military wife who moves around constantly. She doesn’t save stuff like I do, and she has enough problems carting around the shoes she wears now.

For myself, today proved I’ve come a long way in two months of cluttercasting. (pun alert) Not just taking baby steps, but making great strides in learning how to let go. When I opened this box today, I honestly didn’t want to keep the shoes—I just wanted to use them to take a short walk down memory lane.

This was meant to symbolize love on Valentine’s Day. But giving away the ring is confusing—so I’m going to let a vote decide. Here are the comments:

Jann:

I wear a size 6 ring. Or at least I think I do. See, I have known my husband for 30 years this April. We were married 2 years later after we met. We have never had money because I have always been ill and have medical bills. He gave me a saphire ring as an engagement ring. It no longer fits. We were never able to take a honeymoon, or buy a house, or do any of the things “normal” couples do. I always wanted to collect antique jewelry. This ring could be a “start” for me. It could also make me feel as if “all is not lost”.

Brenda:

I would like to give this ring to my mom, who never asks for anything and gives so much to others. She endured an abusive, sociopathic first husband. Then, she held several jobs to support 4 kids; she always sacrificed for us, and she continues to give everything she has to others. She never asks for anything in return. She is battling bladder cancer and still continues to care for her grandson. Quite simply, I love my mom, and I want her to have something elegant that she can treasure.

Ellen:

Mine is a “Cinderfella” story in that my husband was on disability when we courted, fell in love and got engaged almost 23 years ago. I had purchased wedding bands on layaway while a single girl (his and hers matching rings) but my honey couldn’t afford a diamond for me once we met and fell in love. Your sweet and lovely ring looks as though it would match my gold band (especially if a size 6)and give my hand the completed “bridal” look (once my ring is fixed since it had to be cut off at the ER when it got stuck a few years ago!). Thanks for considering my somewhat silly-but-true sweetheart story!

Who gets the ring?

Brenda (55%)

Ellen (28%)

Jann (17%)

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I didn’t offer a choice of giving the ring to charity and I thought I should explain why.

I appreciate all the comments supporting charities. But it would be impossible for me to choose—one of yours or one of my own. We all have causes that affect us personally; there are countless charitable organizations that deserve and need our support. I envisioned Cluttercast as something else.

Cluttercasting could be considered philanthropy: because it’s a way to give to others. I think of it as a new concept in ADDITION to charity; but different.

A cluttercaster gives away something they no longer need or use. A cluttercatcher wants something you don’t want anymore. It’s not a donation; not charity. You can be both– a cluttercaster and a cluttercatcher. Such as Headless Mom.

There is no money involved, other than shipping if appropriate. Especially for people who hang onto their clutter, knowing it’s going to a specific person can make it easier to let go. Whether you know the person who gets your item or not, there is a connection.

In her comment on the Chinese silk jacket, maybe Erica said it best: “Cluttercast is a great way to spread a little positivity out into the universe.”

Today is Valentine’s Day. I have a lot of love in my life–and I know how lucky I am—everyone doesn’t feel as lucky as I do.

I tried to find something shaped like a heart for today. And there’s a simple story behind this ring. I don’t wear it anymore. It’s vintage; I bought it for myself, and it’s real. I hope having it might help someone feel a little more love–and a little more luck.

(I don’t know the ring size; probably 5 1/2 or 6)
If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a comment. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know.

My daughter Alli was always imaginative, and for her birthday one year she wanted a performance of Peter Pan. She wrote her own version and assigned parts to her friends. I assumed Alli would want to play Wendy, and I had the pefect nightgown. But it was her birthday; she wanted to be the star—so she cast herself as Peter Pan.

I barely passed high school Home Economics. But I managed a passable Peter Pan with a scissors and a piece of green felt. And actually I was proud of how it turned out. Since this was about as handy and creative as I got back in those days.
I think it still works—-although when I found it recently, someone thought it was a costume for the Jolly Green Giant.
Either way. Obviously I’m not ready for Project Runway.

(approximately 19″ across, about 28″ long)
If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a comment. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know.

Got milk?
A few years ago, I took a whimsical turn in my art—and made some mosaics including that slogan. Of course that meant the mosaics also had to feature cows. So I started looking around to buy some—and I went slightly cow-crazy.

This one is part of a series called Cows on Parade. I haven’t used it in a mosaic– and I know I never will. Because in order to use it I’d have to break it. I break tiles and plates and other stuff all the time. But the thought of breaking this cow breaks my heart. I also don’t have the heart to leave it sitting in its box until the cows come home.

(ceramic cow, about 9 inches high)
If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a comment. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know.

After we got divorced I remarried. A few years later, my ex-husband got engaged, and my daughter was very excited to go shopping for a wedding gift– for her dad and her step-mother-to-be.
This set is what she picked out for them–a photo album and picture frame covered in white roses. We wrapped it up so she could bring it to the wedding a few months later.
That was years ago—but she never gave it to them at the wedding. Because there was no wedding.

I always wondered what happens after a wedding that’s cancelled—whether the bride keeps the gifts. In this case, she does. Except I was the wrong bride.

If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a comment. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know.

I think most women have a weakness. Something we just can’t resist. For Carrie Bradshaw it’s shoes; for some it’s linens; for some it’s lingerie.
I unfortunately have multiple weaknesses. And one of them is sweaters.
It’s not my fault, either. I’m sure my sweater craving came about because I grew up in Miami Beach where we didn’t need them.
Since I left Florida I’ve definitely over-compensated for the absence of sweaters in my early life. I don’t want them to take over this blog–so I’ll take it slow.

(Charcoal gray, gorgeous cashmere made in Italy, from New York boutique, bust measures 34″, has some give)
If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a comment. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know.

About a week ago I saw an article in the New York Times Style section that had a fashion tip for the failing economy. To update your look without spending money, it suggested that you wear a belt around one of your jackets.

I thought it was a great idea. Especially because the very next day, I found these really nice leather belts. I’m sure I’ll find more.
They bring back such fond memories. Of the days when I had a waist.

(leather belts: both size M)

If you would like to have this item, please let me know in a comment. If you know someone else who might like it, I hope you’ll share this and let them know.

I hate making decisions. That’s why I have so much clutter in the first place–I can’t decide what to keep and what to toss.
Cluttercast is a HUGE help in clearing out the clutter. Except for one thing: deciding who gets what. I’m sure this dilemma will get more challenging as this community grows.
I greatly appreciate the suggestions in the comments—and I’d love any thoughts on how to decide:..i.e. pick names out of a hat, vote,etc..
Right now I’m stuck on the angels:

Barbara:
I would really like and need a guardian angel. In 2008 I had a bad fall resulting in a broken left shoulder and arm. 3 months later I needed eye surgery for my retina and and a macular hole.
Then in 3 months I fell again and cracked my right wrist and elbow. Now in 2009 I just had catarac surgery on my right eye. Please could I have the beautiful earrings

Katie:
Life comes and goes it seems. I have a Daughter a retired teacher because she lost her hearing and has taken into Art. Teaching art to children in small country schools to make things alive for her. She loves Angels and also paints them. she will be showing her art in Carmel this Sat. and Sun. at the Le Vemissage Gallery between 5th and 6th st. Carmel by the sea… Goes by the name of “Hozhoni” But a gift of Angels to be worn on her ears would be a great gift of love and inspiration from you. What ever you do will be the right thing.

Clearly Barbara could use them right now. On the other hand Katie asks on someone else’s behalf, and I appreciate her telling me whatever I do is right.
I wish I knew. What would you do?